Snacks, brownies, raita, cake…: How to make delicious apple dishes at home this season

Apples belong to the Rosaceae family of plants, like apricots, plums, cherries, peaches, pears, raspberries, and even almonds.

Nutrition

Most of us eat apples because they are delicious, but these fruits are also very good for our health. Apples are fat-free, saturated fat-free, sodium-free, cholesterol-free free and an excellent source of fiber. Apples contain pectin, which has been shown to aid digestion, and boron, which helps harden bones. Apples contain key nutrients, including fiber and antioxidants. They may offer health benefits, including lowering blood sugar levels and improving heart health.

Popular fruit

Apples are among the world’s most popular fruits. They grow on the apple tree (Malus domestica), originally from Central Asia. Apples are high in fiber, vitamin C, and various antioxidants. They are also very filling, considering their low-calorie count.

The apple is the ultimate symbol of temptation, as Eve tempted Adam with an apple. Apples are an important symbol in Greek mythology and are included in the stories of Zeus and Helen of Troy.

Varieties of apples

Whether it is the tart green Granny Smith, Gala, Red, or Golden Delicious, the varieties are as numerous as they are delicious in different ways.

Versatile Fruit

This versatile fruit can be used in snacks, salads, desserts, jams, jellies, chutneys, and sauces. Some of my favourite apple recipes are:

Healthy Apple Snack:

Ingredients:

8 slices of bread

4 slices of cheese: mozzarella or cheddar, according to your taste

2 apples, sliced

4 teaspoons sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Method:

Toast the bread. Place cheese and apple slices on one slice of bread. Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. Top with another slice of bread; grill or microwave until the cheese is melted. This takes about 5 minutes.

Apple Cake:

Ingredients:

2 cups apples, peeled and chopped

1 ½ cups flour

½ teaspoon baking powder,

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup sugar

½ cup oil

1 egg, beaten

½ teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon salt

Method:

Preheat oven to 350°F and grease an 8-inch round cake pan. Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl and mix lightly. Pour into prepared cake pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. This takes about half an hour. Remove from the oven and cool the cake for a few minutes, and then remove it from the cake pan.

Apple Raita:

Ingredients:

1 Apple

2 cups natural yogurt

A little grated ginger

1 tsp Black Pepper Powder

1 tsp Sugar

Salt to taste

Method:

Peel and chop the apple. Beat the curd till it becomes smooth. Add the chopped apple, ginger, pepper, sugar, and salt. Mix well and refrigerate. Serve.

Apple Brownies:

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1 egg, beaten

2 apples, peeled, cored, and chopped

1/2 cup chopped nuts

1 cup flour

1/2cup cocoa

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Method:

Cream butter and sugar, beat in egg, and mix in apples and nuts. Sift the flour, cocoa, baking powder, soda, and cinnamon together and mix gently into the mixture. Pour into a buttered, 8 x 8-inch baking dish and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.